The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced its approval of the first generic versions of Lyrica, a drug called “pregabalin” that falls into the category of anticonvulsant, epilepsy drugs often used off-label to treat pain — now a top class of drugs in workers compensation.
Lyrica became eligible for generic applications in June, according to experts, and nine applications have been approved for generics, the FDA announced. It is still touted as an anticonvulsant, a class of drugs that can calm nerve reactions.
Cited in comp circles as a more-expensive alternative to opioids, the FDA said in its statement that Lyrica can be used for managing “neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury.”
The Trump administration has proposed enshrining the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s current stance that the electronic record-keeping rule does not prohibit employers from establishing workplace safety incentive programs or post-incident drug testing in a new standard, according to the latest Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.